As a result, when the glacier first underwent a major surge in 1986 (advancing about 30 metres during the first few months of that year), the terminis reached the tip of the Yakutat Penninsula, completely blocking off the Russel Fjord and trapping sealife behind this "ice dam". This situation drew a great deal of concern, not only because of the threat to the trapped wildlife; but because of the danger that, should the water level rise substantially in the newly created "Russel Lake" (the blocked-off fjord), it could cause flooding in the Yakutat area.

By October of 1986, the ice dam had begun to leak; and shortly thereafter ruptured fully, clearing the channel between Russel Fjord and Disenchantment Bay. This rupture occurred largely because the water level in "Russel Lake" had risen 30 metres since the fjord had been blocked off in May of that year, placing an immense amount of pressure on the ice dam.

Update: After the breaking of the ice dam, the Hubbard resumed advancing, but at a slower rate. Beginning in 2002, however, the Hubbard underwent a series of surges lead to the formation of a new ice dam in June, 2002. Between mid-June and mid-August of that year, the water level in Russel Lake rose more than 50 feet, once again creating concern about flooding that could affect fishing habitat (commercial charter fishing is a large component of Yakutat's economy). In August 2002, however, the glacier formed a leak and water began gushing out of Russel Lake (or Russel Fjord, as the case may once again be).